I can't sleep - ever?!


Question: I have had to sit in my bed waiting to fall asleep for 30 minutes-1 hour every night for atleast a year now. I'm not stressed at all. My mind just can't wind down. This even happens to me when I'm really really tired. I still wind up having to just lay there.


Answers: I have had to sit in my bed waiting to fall asleep for 30 minutes-1 hour every night for atleast a year now. I'm not stressed at all. My mind just can't wind down. This even happens to me when I'm really really tired. I still wind up having to just lay there.

Something that has helped me numerous times: As you are breathing at your normal rate, mentally count backwards from fifty with each breath. Don't alter your breathing rate; just count down the breaths. I've always fallen asleep before I could reach the number one.

There are the usual steps, too:

A warm, relaxing bath just before bed, cozy oversized pj's and soft socks set the mood for you to shut down for the night;

A cup of milk or a little slice of turkey will send a little tryptophan to your brain and cause you to become sleepy;

As you lie in bed, tense up all your muscles, curling up your fingers and toes. Then, starting at your toes, relax the muscles working your way up to your neck and shoulders.

Reading something that doesn't require concentration helps put me out, too. I love Lilian Jackson Braun's Cat Who books, which aren't at all boring, but relax me so much and put my mind in a happy place. When I'm focused on the characters in one of her books, I don't have other concerns flying through my thoughts. Both my sister and I have relied on her books for years to help us wind down before we try to sleep. Another light and fun series is by M C Beaton, about a police constable in Scotland named Hamish Macbeth. Your thoughts aren't as apt to run amuck when you are involved in a good book. I think you are in a better frame of mind when you wake in the morning, too, from having filled your thoughts with something enjoyable the night before.

Comforting scripture passages have that effect, too. And I have a Mercy Me song, a Chris Tomlin song, and one by Mandesa, that I lie in bed and sing in my head when I wake up in the middle of the night. That keeps my thoughts from starting to plan the next day or worrying about something. Or you can do the countdown from fifty again.

I'm really pulling for you to find the right routine to help you get to sleep. Please post an update when you have success.

As I told my camper this summer, count to 1 million and come get me if you aren't asleep when you're finished. :P jk.

I think it's probably mental. I think you need to find a reason to look forward to going to sleep. Like really cool dreams, or something. If you don't dread the hour of sitting there, it probably won't happen.

Something you can try is listening to music, to calm your body down. You can also try something where you lay down on your back, and relax every muscle. Or, just close your eyes for 20 minutes and you'll fall asleep.

Happy Sleeping! =)

I have the same problem. Do something to tire yourself or take a sleeping pill.

Dear East Coast Writer,
I really understand your problem. This is why?
I have a sixteen year old son. He has the same problem.
You have to look at several factors. His grandfather and grandmother both have neurological disorders. Meaning there exist problems with their nervous system.
The brain is part of the nervous system. There is a problem with brain receiving the right chemicals, in the right proportions,at the right time, when you want to sleep.
I suspect you have other problems with your brain also. God bless you.
Make an appointment to receive some counseling concerning appropriate measures needed to allow your body to get the proper rest it needs.
In the meantime take take and God bless.
The Dinosaur Lady

I have the same problem. I tried taking Melatonin. It works. It's a natural supplement that makes you fall asleep. Just don't take it too much and check with the pharmacist if you are taking other medications.





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories